The Spiritual Formation Team met last night. This is a group of people that I have invited to help me discern what God is doing in and through Grace in the area of Spiritual Formation. The conversation centered primarily around the definition of Spiritual Formation itself. I presented a brief description of the Way of the Mystic that highlights the phases of spiritual growth: Awakening, Purgation, Illumination, and Union.
Today I read chapter 5 of Dallas Willard’s book Hearing God. Willard argues that we are called to a conversational relationship with God and that God stills speaks to ordinary people like you and me in the same way he did in the accounts recorded in scripture. The goal of hearing God is not to have supernatural outbursts of power and visions. These loud and obscured forms of communication, Willard suggests, are actually how God must communicate with the immature who haven’t learned to listen. The goal, he says, is to become so familiar and saturated with the love of God, that the communication is primarily through the still, small voice of one’s own mind. Ultimately, however, the communication is beyond words.
Let the beauty of this page soak in.
It’s a great book by a choice servant of the Master who’s ‘hearing’ of the Master vibrates all who listeners. Love you!
Your style of writing and expressions have attracted both my attention and interest to wanting to read more of your write ups. I believe my spiritual life will be enhanced. Thank you Thom.The Lord is your strength.